We are a nation where the treasures of the world lie on our soil. Logar has the most copper in the world, Bamiyan has the most iron ore in the region, and the Hajigak mine alone is estimated at 2070 million tons, of which 63-69 percent is iron ore.
The east of the country has water, the price of a liter of which is equal to the price of a liter of oil from the rest of the world, and it has a season in which four seasons of the year are cultivated. Khost is a province rich in chromite, which China is using in its weapons. In short, our country's fertile soil has such treasures under its bosom, the regular use of which saves Afghans from starvation.
Unfortunately, the ongoing war here is for Afghanistan's mines and water. Precious stones are still being smuggled into Pakistan from many parts of the country, the Taliban provide security and the Taliban provide the same ground, and in some areas even Pakistani miners who know the precious stones are brought.
Water storage has just begun at the Kamal Khan Dam, upon completion, the Kamal Khan Dam will control 2788 million cubic meters of water, store 55 million cubic meters of water, irrigate 180000 hectares of farmland and have the capacity to generate 9 megawatts of electricity. During the reign of Afghan President Sardar Mohammad Daud Khan in year 1966, reconstruction and survey work resumed, but was halted due to the Saur coup and other political factors.
Importance of Kamal Khan Dam for Afghanistan Social and Economic Welfare
Abstract
We are a nation where the treasures of the world lie on our soil. Logar has the most copper in the world, Bamiyan has the most iron ore in the region, and the Hajigak mine alone is estimated at 2070 million tons, of which (63-69%) percent is iron ore.
The east of the country has water, the price of a liter of which is equal to the price of a liter of oil from the rest of the world, and it has a season in which four seasons of the year are cultivated. Khost is a province rich in chromite, which China is using in its weapons. In short, our country's fertile soil has such treasures under its bosom, the regular use of which saves Afghans from starvation.
Unfortunately, the ongoing war here is for Afghanistan's mines and water. Precious stones are still being smuggled into Pakistan from many parts of the country, the Taliban provide security and the Taliban provide the same ground, and in some areas even Pakistani miners who know the precious stones are brought.
Water storage has just begun at the Kamal Khan Dam, upon completion, the Kamal Khan Dam will control 2788 million cubic meters of water, store 55 million cubic meters of water, irrigate 180000 hectares offarmland and have the capacity to generate 9 megawatts of electricity.
During the reign of Afghan President Sardar Mohammad Daud Khan in year 1966, reconstruction and survey work resumed, but was halted due to the Saur coup and other political factors.
Keywords: Kamal Khan Dam, Economy, Social Benefits, Development, Water Resources
Introduction
Kamal Khan, a patriotic and courageous figure of Afghanistan who passed away and in order to protect Afghanistan's water, started this effort on his own to make Nimroz and neighboring provinces prosperous and green and Afghanistan's gold (water) To be used properly. With very little chance, he started the work of this dam and by this management he was able to make the surrounding lands green and the beauty of Sistan even more, so he chose the big name (Kamal Khan Dam/Port) for this important port.
After some period of time, the Dam has been destroyed in a battle that led to the resumption of work under the leadership of Sardar Mohammad Daud Khan. It was reopened by Mohammad Ashraf Ghani to end the seven hundred (700) Years wait of the people and the storage of water began. It also has a capacity of (9-12) MW.
Methods
This research is basically based on secondary data which were collected from different sources mentioned in the references section of this article.
Discussion
Dams are built to store water, generate electricity, irrigate inland, and prevent flooding have been in operation for centuries and through these dams we meet the demand for water in various sectors such as industry, agriculture, health. And so on.
The construction of ports / dams can have both positive and negative consequences for the environment, the positive points of which are summarized below:
I. Benefits of flood control: Dams can reduce the incidence of floods.
II. Benefits of Land Fertility: This additional benefit can be achieved when the land is irrigated and used properly.
III. Benefits of Power and Energy Generation: Since electricity is a basic need of the people, it can be used for low-cost power generation and industrial and other necessities.
IV. Provide drinking and potable water to the people to meet their daily needs.
V. Land Irrigation Benefits: By this we can differentiate between dry lands and agricultural lands for economic benefit.
Along with these benefits, there are some downsides to dams that should not be overlooked when building dams, such as:
a) Decreased fish population
b) Preventing the movement of different animals
c) Changes in water quality
d) Production and increase of toxic substances
e) Increased chances of earthquakes due to strong water storage.
f) Increase in some water-related diseases such as malaria, typhus, typhoid, fever, and cholera.
Kim (2006) suggests that building infrastructure, such as transportation and energy, is essential for longterm socio-economic development. The reputation of major infrastructures, especially dams, varies locally and nationally and can help achieve the above specific benefits as well as provide a platform for development to the people.
Results
The Dam/Port of Kamal Khan, which has been under construction for a long time by Kamal Khan and Sardar Mohammad Daud Khan, is of great importance:
The Kamal Khan Dam can be of great value to the East, especially Nimroz, Helmand, Zabul and other provinces, but some of the positive social, economic, and cultural benefits can be further illustrated by the following:
- Provide opportunities for economic development: better conditions for industrial and agricultural production, development and attraction of tourism and hospitality in the region, creation and establishment of sub-economic ties which will significantly increase agricultural income. There will be an increase in, people's employment opportunities outside the fields and agriculture sector will grow, and the economic sector will expand.
- Poverty reduction: There will be jobs for the people during and after the construction of the dam and there will be no need to travel to foreign countries, which will ultimately reduce unemployment and underemployment. Significant improvements will be made in agricultural lands and farmers in poor economic conditions.
- Expectations for a better and better future: This will make the region and the gray land greener and Agriculturally developed, facilitate social relations and economic growth, and raise the status and value of the land. Love for the land, a sense of well-being and happiness, and change for the better future.
- Changes in the security situation: increasing and controlling water, reducing poverty, which in turn will reduce conflicts between farmers and agricultural sector workers and significantly reduce crime levels in terms of security as the central government Permanent attention will lead to continuous evaluation and supervision.
- Reduction and Prevention of Migration: With the construction of Kamal Khan Dam, the conditions ofproduction will improve, employment and job opportunities will increase as it will enable the government to increase the interest of agriculture sector among the villagers and the people. Increased love, economic and financial prosperity will be created and the vision of the region will move to the best and positive direction from the point of view of the people and the surroundings.
- Social cohesion and social capital: With this dam, the social climate and atmosphere between people and individuals will move towards comfort as the whole region moves towards betterment, in addition to unity and coordination between farmers and agricultural networks and Consensus is established that social and regional well-being and standards will rise as a consequence.
- Expansion and development of infrastructure: It will also address the other social needs such as construction of roads and bridges and special attention of the central government to the surrounding areas to utilize its diverse and valuable resources and the benefits of the dam will be fairly distributed among the people and the region will move towards polar development.
Conclusion
The dam in the endless arid deserts of Nimroz raises people's hopes for a prosperous Afghanistan. The dam is another decoration for the bride. Because the east of our country has water, the price of a liter is equal to the price of a liter of oil in the rest of the world, and it has a season in which four seasons of the year are cultivated.
Afghanistan is one of the richest countries in the world in terms of building ports, importing 70% of its electricity from neighbor countries, especially from Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Iran and as a result we lose about 220 to 270 million dollars annually. If all of Afghanistan's domestic electricity sources are better utilized, it will enable to generate 122000 megawatts of electricity annually, while Afghanistan's annual need for electricity is socially 4700 megawatts.
The value of the Kamal Khan Dam is so high that it will not only meet the demand for electricity but will also be vital to the growth of our agricultural sector, which will irrigate about 180000 hectares of land and the gray deserts of Nimroz province. Go towards settlement and people will enjoy the soft and fresh air and eventually the people of the country will be self-sufficient.
Job opportunities will be created for the people and we will be free from foreign labor. If we use the precious waters of the East in a healthy way and have good management and coordination, then God willing, we will also be free from foreign labor and hardships. Yes, we will strengthen our economy, we will create jobs, and finally the money we give to foreign and neighboring countries for our needs will be used to support our industry, trade, education and training. Extraction of internal mineral resources, and expenditure for social welfare. Wishing a happy, peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan!
Acknowledgment and Suggestions
I have been writing for many times, but this is the first article I am writing to publish in a prestigious and honorable university journal which could be a great achievement for me and my career. I dedicate this article to my father who is always there to support me and back up my education.
That there is a person at the head of our country who has the best plans in the economy and follows the path of someone whom the world will respect and regard as a great person who was Sardar Mohammad Daud Khan. In order to help these people in one way or another, I have the following suggestions:
- Just as dams are essential for the well-being and development of the economy and people, so too should animals that live underwater or in the vicinity be taken into account in order to improve the environment, wildlife, and Underwater fish are not harmed.
- Proper use of water and rivers with high value and strong resources such as Kunar River, Paktia Zazi Dam and water resources which are hidden and are important components of power generation and storage and construction and Better reconstruction plans should be made that are both economical and do not harm the village or the village.
- In addition to dams and water resources, forests must be considered as both are one of Afghanistan's resources that can bring back its beauty to Afghanistan and the surrounding provinces and also make people realize their value and the value of their resources. Whenever dams are built, they must be properly maintained and rehabilitated, i.e., designed to be both a tourist attraction and a cost-effective one. Cause climate change.
References
In this article the following key sources has been utilized:
1. Journal of Geography and Planning, 2014, No. 53, Fall 2016, pp. 325-351 (Analysis of socio-economic effects of dam construction on rural development (Case study: Sayed Soleimanshah)
2. American Rivers.2001 a.10 ways dams damage rivers. (Online) Available at American Rivers website: ( URL:http://www.amrivers.org/damremoval/tenreasons.htm.)
3. International Rivers Network, 2001.Reviving the world’s rivers. (Online) Available at International Rivers Network Web Site. URL: http://www.revirrevival.org/brochure/rrpt2.html.
4. Abdullah, Al Noor Mohammed (2019) “Assessing Economic, Social, Political and Environmental Issues Related to Mega-Projects: A case study of Merowe Dam in Sudan ” (http://hdl.handle.net/10026.1/15081)
5. Bezuayehu Tefera Olana (2006) “People and Dams: Environmental and Socio-Economic changes induced by a reservoir in Fincha ’a watershed, western Ethiopia ”.
6. Andrea Kraljevic, Jian-hua Meng, Patricia Schelle. WWF analysis (2013) “Seven Sins of Dam Building ” WWF International - Freshwater Programme & WWF-Germany
7. Mazzei, L., Haas, L. J.M.; O'Leary, D.T (2011). “Opportunities in Dam Planning and Management.” The World Bank
8. https://8am.af/ps/who-was-kamal-khan-and-why-was-a-big-dam-named-after-him/
Frequently asked questions
What is the Kamal Khan Dam and why is it important for Afghanistan?
The Kamal Khan Dam is a significant water management project in Afghanistan, designed to control and store water for irrigation, electricity generation, and overall economic development, especially for Nimroz and neighboring provinces. It aims to utilize Afghanistan's water resources properly and boost the region's prosperity.
What is the water storage capacity and potential of the Kamal Khan Dam?
The Kamal Khan Dam is designed to control 2788 million cubic meters of water and store 55 million cubic meters. It has the potential to irrigate 180000 hectares of farmland and generate 9 megawatts of electricity.
What were the historical milestones in the construction of the Kamal Khan Dam?
The project was initiated by Kamal Khan, a patriotic figure, and later revived during the reign of Sardar Mohammad Daud Khan in 1966. However, it faced disruptions due to political instability. The dam was finally reopened by Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, marking the end of a long wait for the local population.
What are the key benefits of the Kamal Khan Dam?
The Kamal Khan Dam offers several benefits, including flood control, improved land fertility through irrigation, power and energy generation, provision of drinking water, and opportunities for economic development. It also aims to reduce poverty, improve the security situation, and prevent migration by creating job opportunities and enhancing agricultural production.
What are the potential negative consequences of dams in general?
While dams offer numerous benefits, they can also have negative consequences, such as decreased fish populations, disruption of animal movement, changes in water quality, production of toxic substances, increased chances of earthquakes, and a rise in water-related diseases.
How can the Kamal Khan Dam contribute to social development and economic growth?
The dam is expected to stimulate economic development by creating better conditions for industrial and agricultural production, attracting tourism, establishing sub-economic ties, and increasing agricultural income. It also aims to foster social cohesion, improve infrastructure, and address social needs such as road construction and access to resources.
What role does electricity generation play in the Kamal Khan Dam project?
The dam has the capacity to generate 9-12 MW of electricity, which can contribute to meeting the basic energy needs of the population and supporting industrial activities. It also reduces Afghanistan’s reliance on electricity imports from neighboring countries.
How does the Kamal Khan Dam aim to reduce poverty?
By creating jobs during and after construction, the dam reduces the need for people to seek employment in foreign countries. It significantly improves agricultural lands and farmers in poor economic conditions. This contributes to decreased unemployment and underemployment.
What suggestions are provided for the successful implementation and management of dam projects?
Suggestions include considering the impact on underwater animals and wildlife, proper use of water and rivers, maintaining and rehabilitating dams for tourism, and preventing climate change. These considerations ensure the sustainability and effectiveness of dam projects.
What impact does the Kamal Khan Dam have on the overall perspective and future of Afghanistan?
The dam raises hopes for a prosperous Afghanistan by reducing dependency on imported electricity and providing vital support for the agricultural sector. This enables settlement in arid deserts, job creation, economic strengthening, and overall social welfare improvements.
- Quote paper
- Zabihullah Zahir (Author), 2021, The Importance of the Kamal Khan Dam for the Social and Economic Welfare of Afghanistan, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1060749
